gable

noun

ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

1

a

: the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge

b

: the similar end of a gambrel roof

c

: the end wall of a building

2

: a triangular part or structure

gabled

ˈgā-bəld 

adjective

Illustration of gable

• 1 gable 1a

Examples of gable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The parallel glass gables of its roof rise and fall like an abstract hillscape. —airmail.news, 16 Nov. 2024

Distinctive elements: Ornate wood trim; decorative brass hinges; regal fireplaces with special tiles; solarium; stained glass windows; multi-point gables; high-profile ghosts. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 27 Nov. 2024

Despite their regal name — shared with the area of London slightly to the north of Selhurst Park where Palace originally played — the club did not have the money for the brick detailing, roof gables and fancy trimmings that Leitch added to Highbury and Stamford Bridge. —Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024

The 1,000-sq-ft (95-sq-m) cabin is a modern reimagining of traditional A-frame cabins, with the unique incorporation of a split roof design and two intersecting gables. —New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin gabulus, gabulum "gibbet" (borrowed from Celtic *gablo- "fork," whence Old Irish gabul "fork, gibbet, groin," Welsh gafl "fork, groin"), perhaps influenced in sense by northern Middle English and Scots gavel "triangular end of a building," borrowed from Old Norse gafl

Note: The word gable, attested only in Anglo-French and the French of Normandy, is unlikely to be a loan from Old Norse, which would have resulted in *gavle. Old Norse gafl appears to correspond to Old High German gibil "gable," Middle Dutch and Middle Low German gevel, and Gothic gibla, though the divergence in vocalism is unexplained.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gable

• gable roof

Kids Definition

gable

noun

ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

1

: the triangular part of an outside wall of a building that is formed by the sides of the roof sloping down from the ridgepole to the eaves

2

: a triangular structure (as over a door or window)

gabled

-bəld 

adjective

Biographical Definition

Gable

biographical name

Ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

(William) Clark 1901–1960 American actor